Archive for February, 2007

23rd February 2007

Friday, February 23rd, 2007

Magical Playground

I hope you have all had a chance to take a look at our wonderful new playground. We have all been very excited (including the adults) and enjoyed exploring the musical instruments and sitting on the story telling chair. We are looking forward to using the stage area in the summer for some outdoor performances.
Our future plans include putting down some playground markings in the other playground area.

Football Victory

Fantastic news, our very talented Middle Street football team won 3 – 1 in a 7 a side tournament against Brighton College on Wednesday. Ms Busby was so excited she sent me a text immediately after the game to tell me how well the team played. Well done to all!

Presentation to Head Teachers

Courtenay, Hannah, Lucy and Ben from years 5 and 6 gave a presentation at a Head Teacher’s conference today. The children talked about how children are able to share their views, ideas and suggestions on the running of the school. They also talked about the other opportunities there are in school for children to communicate with the adults in school on any issue. The presentation was stunning and all those attending the conference were extremely impressed. Well done and thank you Courtenay, Hannah, Lucy and Ben.

Bling Your Bike Competition

We had some amazing ‘blinged’ bikes in school on Tuesday. Gary Shipp the Bike It co-ordinator came in for the day to talk to each class about safety on the road. At the end of the day he presented prizes to the winners of the competition who were: Ombaashi from Year1, Amelia from Year 5, Meg from Year 1 and Zoe from Year 4. Several children also won prizes in the raffle.

After School Club

As you are aware the Sundance After School club will be closing shortly. Luckily another after school club has come to the rescue and will take over when Sundance finish. If you use the club Sundance will inform you of the new arrangements.

Year 1 and Year 2 Entry to School
Please use the correct entrance doors

Please could you remember to drop your child off, in the mornings at the classroom door leading from the playground. Avoid coming in from the shared area doors. Having so many parents using the wrong doors and coming into the classrooms first thing in the morning is causing a lot of disruption. For some children it is distressing having so many adults milling around the room.

Reminders:

Year 3 parents/carers please collect your Dance at the Dome tickets from the office. Each child performing should have at least one parent/carer in attendance. Tickets must be collected by Wednesday 28th February.
Deadline for return of school photos and orders is Friday 2nd March. Any photos returned late will incur a £4.00 surcharge.
We break for the Easter holidays on Friday 30th March and return to school on Monday 16th April.

Congratulations to….

Maximilian Schnuppe in Reception who has achieved his 25 metre front crawl and 12 metre back crawl certificate from the Brighton Swimming School. Well done Maximilian!
Benjamin Schnuppe in Nursery has achieved his certificate for Teddy Bear swimming. To gain this certificate Benjamin paddled unassisted on his front and back for 5 metres. Well done Benjamin!

9th February 2007

Friday, February 9th, 2007

Touchwood

The children have really enjoyed helping Joe from Touchwood prepare some of the seating for our new playground improvements. Despite the cold they have been outside sawing, chipping and smoothing the wood into shape. The Argus newspaper visited the school yesterday so look out for photos etc in the Argus. We also have pictures on our website if you would like to take a look at work in progress.

Brighton Museum Visit

Year 3 enjoyed a visit to Brighton Museum today. They were finding out all about the Victorians and were able to handle Victorian artefacts.

Bike It

As part of our Bike It project we are holding a ‘Love Your Bike Day’. On Tuesday 20th February. Gary Shipp the Bike It co-ordinator will be in to give bicycle safety talks in each class. Gary will also be running a ‘Bling Your Bike’ competition. Children can enter their bikes if they follow the following rules:

· Spring clean and wash bike and then ‘bling’ or fancy dress the bike.

· The bike must be safe to use , nothing dangling in the wheels or chain, and nothing that stops handlebars turning freely or the brakes from working.

· Each child who enters their bike for the competition will be given a raffle ticket which will be entered into a draw.

· Prizes will be awarded at the end of the day for best ‘blinged’ bike and the raffle will also be drawn.

(A little secret: children using recycled materials to bling their bikes stand a better chance of winning.)

Middle Street 7 a side

Our very talented football team will be playing in a 7 a side tournament on Wednesday 21st February at East Brighton Park.

School Council Presentation

A group of our School Councillors will be telling Head Teachers from Brighton and Hove schools all about our School Council. Their presentation will be on Friday 23rd February at Falmer High School. Mr Collins will be their assistant and in charge of pressing the right buttons on the laptop for their Powerpoint slides.

Coffee Morning

We had lots of fun and laughter at the School Associations coffee morning this Wednesday. Do come along if you haven’t done so yet. The next one takes place on Wednesday 7th March.

Next Violin Lesson

A reminder for those children who have violin lessons, the next lesson is on Tuesday 27th February.

Congratulations to..

Courtenay Hallett and Ben Scarletti in year 6 who have both won scholarships Courtenay to Brighton and Hove Girls School and Ben to Brighton College.

Courtenay won an ‘all rounder’ scholarship for her outstanding ability in all areas of the curriculum and Ben has been awarded an ’Exhibition’ for his excellent maths skills and knowledge. Very well done to Courtenay and Ben.

Goodbye to..

Mrs Jess Goodchild our Teaching Assistant in Year 2. Jess is expecting a baby in April and will return later in the year. We all send our love and best wishes to Jess and look forward to meeting the baby. Jess’ replacement for the next few months is Ms Tamar Vanderhaas. Tamar has been volunteering at Middle Street for sometime so knows the school and the children in year 2 very well.

Have a fabulous half term break and we look forward to seeing you all again on Monday 19th February.

2nd February 2007

Friday, February 2nd, 2007

Preston Manor Visit

Year 3 thoroughly enjoyed their visit to Preston Manor on Monday afternoon. They dressed up and were given tasks to do around the house which they did in the way of bygone days. They had one or two scary moments being disciplined in the old fashioned ‘stand up straight!’ kind of way but it was all good fun.

Teaching Assistant Swap

Ms Karen Sinclaire our Year 3 Teaching Assistant spent Wednesday and Thursday of this week working at Hillside Special school in Portslade. Ms Sinclaire swapped with Ms Jess Deacon a TA from Hillside who wanted some experience of mainstream education. It was an enjoyable and enlightening experience for both TAs. The year 3 children enjoyed meeting and working with Ms Deacon.

Reception and the Old Toys

Mrs Noble and the Reception class enjoyed looking at and talking about toys from the past. Michael Olden from Brighton museum brought the toys from the museum. The children especially liked the Zoetrope and Spinning Top. They also had the opportunity to make and recreate old fashioned toys.

Coffee Morning

The School Association monthly Coffee Morning takes place again on Wednesday 7th February at 9.00am in the Family Room. Come along and meet some new friends.

Photographs

The photographer was in today taking photographs of individual children and siblings. You will have the opportunity to order photographs shortly.

Attendance and Punctuality

Please find attached information on the school’s attendance and punctuality policy. Hopefully this will help clarify any misunderstandings around attendance and the legal requirements as well as clearly states the school’s procedures.

Please Close the Gate

Please could you remember to check the gate is securely closed when you leave the school premises. Thank you.

Mrs Goodchild and the Bump

You may or may not be aware that Mrs Jess Goodchild is expecting a baby. Mrs Goodchild works as a Teaching Assistant in Year 2 but will be taking maternity leave from next Friday. Mrs Goodchild’s baby is expected in April. We are all very excited and looking forward to meeting the ‘bump’ which is most probably, so Mrs Goodchild tells us a baby girl.

Half Term

We finish for the half term break on Friday 9th February. School begins again on Monday 19th February.